Edward Snowden Leaks Increase Global Fears About Privacy

Polls from around the world show that people now are more concerned over online privacy and cybersecurity since Edward Snowden leaked tens of thousands of pages of America’s secret intelligence reports.

A recent poll found that 60 percent of respondents in 24 developed countries from around the world knew who Snowden was. Of that 60 percent, 39 percent said they had a higher sense of concern over their own cybersecurity because of his notoriety.

Further, 43 percent said they avoided certain types of websites for fear of malware and other types of computer intrusions and outside monitoring. Also, 39 percent said they changed their passwords frequently.

64 percent said they are more concerned of their own cybersecurity than they were last year.

Shockingly, 83 percent said they believed that having Internet service was a “basic human right,” even as government administration of the Internet drew unfavorable comments. Only 48 percent said that their national leaders were doing a good job with Internet policy.

But at least a majority, 57 percent, felt that the Internet was best administered by a partnership of the business sector, non-governmental organizations, and governments.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.